American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences, Palo Alto, CA.

The booklet describes the Micro-Social Preschool Learning System for children from poor migrant families in Vineland, New Jersey. Of the population of 50,000, approximately 20% is Puerto Rican, 10% Appalachian white, and 7% black. Language objectives of the program are to develop the ability to speak and understand 2,000 basic words in English (the speech pool required for effective performance in first grade) and to develop in children the ability to read at least 300 of the words spoken and understood. The behavioral objectives for social skill development are for the children to acquire (1) skills in getting along with each other in performing learning tasks, with mutual goals and skills in interacting easily with adults, and (2) feelings of satisfaction in achieving goals and a willingness to maintain involvement in tasks until some goal has been reached. Based on pretests, the average IQ of children in the program is 71.5; therefore, an additional goal is to raise the IQ's of the children. (EJ)